LOS ANGELES – UCLA’s run game netted just 2.7 yards per carry last week against Washington State, and that kind of running game isn’t likely to lead to success in the Pac-10.

Running backs coach Wayne Moses had players focus on falling forward at the end of runs this week in an effort to squeak out another yard or two.

“Right now, every yard is a yard,” Moses said. “We’ve got to make sure we finish the run and make sure we fall forward. Sometimes, you get knocked back, but when they spot the ball, you lose a yard. If they’re not falling forward, they’re not doing the right thing.

“You know how many times I saw it was fourth-and-1, but we got knocked back two plays earlier? There’s the one yard right there.”

The lopsided victory over Washington State – UCLA’s first since the opener against Tennessee – made the running game woes not as glaring. Kahlil Bell had 21 carries for 43 yards, but five of those carries were for negative yards (nine total). He averaged just two yards per carry. It’s not just the running backs, because any good running back typically runs behind a stout offensive line.

“There’s lot of variables, but the facts are we need to get that up,” Moses said. “We need to be more efficient. You make five and lose three (yards). We’ve got to be more consistent not losing yards.

We’ve got to get the negative runs out of it. If it’s a no-gainer, it’s a no-gainer. The minus-yards aren’t a good thing. We’ve got to be more consistent at limiting the minus-runs, because that’s what’s getting us.”

IT’S A FIRST

Freshman Datone Jones said he will play on special teams for the first time in his career. He didn’t play on special teams in high school, either. When special teams lined up for a kickoff in practice Wednesday, Jones had to be called on to the field, then he lined up in the wrong spot.

“I’ve had a couple of mental errors and sometimes I forget things,” Jones said. “I just like to hit people. I’ll try to go down there and hit somebody and make a play.”